Gallery
GEORGE NEWS - Carpe Diem School was graced with the presence of the district's most hallowed chefs and a gaggle of media guests last Thursday, 2 June, when Gourmets & Gourmands 2022 was launched in boisterous Strictly Ballroom style.
If the effort made by aptly-robed attendees of the happy occasion is anything to go by, ticket holders for this year's 13th staging of Carpe Diem's foremost annual fundraiser on 20 August are in for a multi-sensory treat.
PHOTO GALLERY: Gourmets and Gourmands 2022 - a lot of heart in lucky 13th fundraiser
The Gourmets & Gourmands gala evening has become a Southern Cape institution over the past decade-plus, bringing together generous restaurateurs and appreciative food lovers for a singular cause.
For those not in the know, a cursory glance at the Carpe Diem website provides ample insight to the school's invaluable work with differently-abled kids. When handed the mic, headmaster Elzeth Grobler shared anecdotes of her days at the helm, painting a poignant picture of the school's life-changing impact.
Effective fundraising is essential to continue supporting countless kids in need of special care, while also aiming to educate and monitor the well-being of their families.
This immense operation - consider expert staff, specialised equipment, custom-built amenities - comes at no small cost.
In steps the great-hearted George enterprise of Hartman and Sons, good meat merchants since the late 1980s. This year hails the 10th anniversary of its G&G sponsorship, and head honcho Andries Hartman's heartfelt words in support of the August 20 event did much to enthuse his audience.
"The Carpe Diem team are miracle workers one and all, and work done by them behind the scenes and in cooperation with the G&G organising committee is an impressive example of what can be achieved when like-minded folk put their heads together," said Andries.
What he didn't divulge is the fact that, during two years of lockdowns preventing the staging of G&G, this family business continued to provide essential foodstuffs to ensure that each Carpe Diem student enjoyed nutritious daily meals.
Participating restaurants this year are 101 on Meade, Bahia Bleu, The Fat Fish, Frankly Fresh, Garden Route Game Lodge/Serengeti's, Ilali, Jakkalsvlei, Jemima's, Kitchen Queen, Nina's Café, Portabello, Peperboom, Pomodoro's, Reed Valley, Salina's, Serendipity, and Twin Trees.
Vern van der Watt is the event's new convenor and along with Tash - his better half and partner at Nina's - presented trays of beautifully plated canapés as teaser for the culinary treats that await G&G guests.
This will be the first year since inception that food guru Francois Ferreira is not steering the organising team, and his emotional handing over of these important reins "into very good hands" had many grabbing for their hankies.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
